According to figures released today by the Central Bank, Irish punts worth €810m remain in circulation despite the end of the dual circulation period last Saturday.
As of close of business yesterday, the bank says that euro notes and coins worth €3.5bn have been distributed to the public, but this still leaves a large amount of the old currency in circulation. The bank says 83% of old Irish currency has now been returned, but said it would continue to exchange punts for euro indefinitely.
The Irish Bankers' Federation, representing the main retail banks, has told the Central Bank that Irish pound notes and coins will be changed into euro by banks until at least 28 February. Irish pound coins will be accepted in customer lodgements until at least 28 March, and Irish notes until at least 31 December.
The Central Bank will continue to exchange banknotes in other Eurozone currencies until 28 March.
